Dave Bing will speak at fundraising luncheon Oct. 29

Syracuse, NY.------The late Father Joseph Champlin was never one to miss an opportunity, especially when it came to raising money to send city children to Catholic schools.

Last year, he shared the spotlight with David Bing, the basketball Hall of Famer who was a basketball star at Syracuse University from 1962 to 1966.

The two received the Temple Adath Yeshurun's "Citizen of of the Year'' Award. Over dinner, Father Champlin, who left us in January after a long battle with cancer, asked Bing if he would address the Guardian Angel Society's ninth annual luncheon on Oct. 29.

Of course, Bing accepted. Who could say no to Father Champlin, the former rector of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in downtown Syracuse?

Bing, who became a successful business man after retiring from the Detroit Pistons, is now pursuing a career in poltics. He is running for mayor of Detroit.

"I've been blessed in my life to have come from a loving home and to have two good careers,'' said Bing, referring to basketball and his group of companies. "I want my grandkids to have those same opportunities in Detroit. And if people like me don't get involved, there's no way they will have those opportunities.''

The Guardian Angel Society's luncheon is planned for noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Syracuse University Hotel. Tickets are $40 each or $400 for a table of 10. Proceeds will provide scholarships for students at Cathedral Academy at Pompei.

Make your reservations by Wednesday. For more information, call Kathy Fedrizzi, 422-7218.